The University of Rhode Island women’s tennis team closed out its spring break trip with a strong performance on Friday, defeating Dominican University of California to help build momentum leading up to Atlantic 10 Conference play.
The 4-0 win was powered by a dominant doubles showing and three efficient singles wins.
The Rams swept Dominican in doubles play. The No. 1 doubles team, consisting of fourth-year Nikki Fernando and first-year Kajsa Helgesen, secured their team-high 14th win of the season.
The pair of second-years, Grace Darcy and Anastasia Pettersson, and the pair of fourth-years, Ava Grnja and Sophie Herrman, followed the No. 1 team with 6-1 victories.
Fernando and Helgesen have turned out to be one of Rhode Island’s most consistent doubles teams this season, with a record of 9-5. Fernando credits the chemistry she has with her teammate as a great contributor to their success.
“We just both love playing tennis so much,” Fernando said. “I think our game styles complement each other very well. So when we’re each doing our part, it comes together.”
Fernando’s victory also served as her 64th doubles win of her collegiate career, tying the Rhode Island record set by Tristany Leikem ’12.
“I came into college just wanting to play college tennis,” Fernando said. “I didn’t think that I’d be able to make such an imprint. I definitely couldn’t have done it without all the different players I have played doubles with.”
URI carried its momentum from doubles into singles play, where Helgesen, Pettersson and Grnja each added straight-set victories. Helgesen delivered a dominant performance, winning her sets 6-1 and 6-0, respectively. Pettersson followed with scores of 6-2 and 6-4. Grnja capped off singles play, winning 6-1 in both sets, improving her personal record to 6-0 on the season.
This made it so the Rams only needed these three out of the intended six singles matches to clinch the victory. The other three matches went unfinished.
The win against their Division II opponent concluded a three-match trip to California, where the Rams faced two Division I opponents before Friday. While Rhode Island dropped the first two matches to Saint Mary’s College of California and San Jose State University, URI Head Coach Jonas Brobeck emphasized the importance of the trip, despite the negative record.
“We get to practice a lot outside and also get three quality matches in,” said Brobeck. “It’s way different to play outside, with wind and sun and it’s way slower conditions.”
Fernando also noted the physical demands of adjusting to outdoor play again.
“The biggest hurdle this break was the heat,” Fernando said. “As a team, we are going to work on our endurance. There is going to be a lot of preparation for that heat and these long matches that are going to be under the sun.”
With a conference championship in their sights, the Rams now shift their focus to Atlantic 10 play, where they will open conference competition against Saint Joseph’s University next weekend on Saturday.
